Has anyone tackled the front end components? I just rolled over 115k miles and figured it wouldn't hurt to get the front end replaced. I have access to tools, a lift, etc.

 

It's funny you ask this as I am in the process of replacing just about everything up front.

It all started when I added those leveling kits from HBS and autospring. Anyways it started with the sway bar end links. Really easy to install with simple hand tools, jack, and jack stands.

Camping trip blew out my tie rod end ball joint thing. Those are easy but you have to get an alignment afterwards.

I have encountered a new annoying noise in the front that got way worse after I took the lift off. Turns out I had a blown strut up front. I only figured this out after replacing the upper control arms.

So I ordered all new springs struts for the front and some new shocks for the back. As with the leveling kits this job is a bit more difficult but can be done. Having a lift makes life SO MUCH EASIER!! If you are 2WD this may make that much easier.

I'm finally ready to take my truck in to get an alignment. Service tech had some good news for me... bad drivers side lower ball joint..... I'm pretty pissed at this point as I've taken this bastard apart four different times now and have replaced just about everything up front except CV's.

Got some lower ball joints in the mail and ordered another tie rod end just to replace the only factory piece left up front. I've never changed lower ball joints, so this will be a first for me. If it's like anything else on the front, it will suck the first time but the opposite side should go smoother.

I got all my parts from rockauto.com and I have to say, I am very pleased with their service and prices. They ship pretty fast too. I recommend them to everyone and you can find discount codes online usually good for 5% off.

Question... Are you having problems with the front end? Why are you replacing parts if there isn't a real problem going on up there?

 

I did my passenger lower ball joint a few weeks ago. This was the first real repair I have done by my self. Its really not that hard. I rented the press from Advance auto parts. Just remember not to over tighten the bolts when putting things back together. I am doing my upper control arm and sway bar end link in the morning. Hopefully it will go pretty smooth. Here is a video that helped me with the ball joint.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=03aJ_RcnBko&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D03aJ_RcnBko

 

I did my tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints and IWE's about a year ago. Got moog components from Rockauto and the IWE's from tasca. Piece of cake, sure tightened it up. Only thing I may have done different would be to replace the hubs while I was in there.
Had about 90K on the truck when I did it.

 

I am just over 100,000 miles and about a month ago I replaced my UCA, CV axles, actuators, hubs, sway bar links, new rotors and pads plus I took out the stock strut tower and spacer and installed the Rancho Quicklift.

I also got new tires and alignment done so it pretty much feels like a new truck and the ride is much mcu better. Definitely worth doing.

I did everything but the tires and alignment myself in the driveway. Took most of a Saturday but I took my time to make sure I did it correctly.

 

Smart decision! I almost went rancho but in the end I did not want to replace all these components again. I'd rather take the rear block out rather than beating the crap outta my front end again.

 

video no workie.

 

 

On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give it a seven. Make sure you have all the tools, metric sockets and wrenches, a good breaker bar, torque wrench, and hit the all nuts with some liquid wrench the night before. A good impact wrench, either electric or air, is a big time saver. Consider replacing the rotors at the same time.

 

I guess time will tell how the Rancho wears on the front. I wish I had taken a before/after pic. To my eyes the Rancho seems to have better angles than the spacer did but I don't know how?

 

I am currently doing:
--Upper Control Arms / ball joints
--Lower Ball Joints
--Lower Control Arm Bushing
--Steering Stabilizer bushings and end links
--Outer Tie Rod ends

Yes ........ I pulled the lower control arms off to learn that there is no CAM adjustment. Moog has a kit with bolts. - about $104 with tax from Oreilys
Specialty Products has a kit that's just a jig with nut that you replace the existing nut with. - about $94 with tax from Oreilys

Ford has a CAM adjust bolt kit that you can buy from the dealer for about $76/each.
Tasca has it for $50.48/each
Yep .......... that's $200 - $300 for 4 CAM bolts from Ford. It really looks like the best option to me but WHY are these not standard equipment. Go figure. We get plenty of cup holders and no CAM adjust. Really!!!

My problem is that when I removed the lower control arm to replace the bushings ..... the bolts were absolutely rusted and pitted to the point that me and my son both felt it best to replace the bolts. Why replace the bushings if you are going to put junk back in to pin and secure them with.

Anyway ........ lower control arms have eaten my lunch. I had to take them to a shop to get the old bushing pressed out and new ones pressed in........ and they were a bear. Shop cut me a deal at $150 after an original quote of $100 (1hour). I think they spent 4 hours on them.

Between new bushings, ball joints, labor for bushing install and CAM bolts........ the lower control arms are killing me. About $550 in all just on rebuilding the lower control arms and adding CAM bolts............ and I'm doing most of the work. What a nightmare.

I'm doing it right and feel good about replacing the bushings and bolts, but, I did not anticipate all of this.

In addition ........ no Ford dealer had the CAM bolts... I found 1 local. Ordered the other 3 from TASCA.

Anyway ....... hopefully I will be bolted up and rolling in for an alignment in the next day or so and all will be good. Hopefully.